Brighton and Hove Albion were pegged back at the very end of the first half after leading from an Adam Webster goal on 18 minutes.
Arron Mooy was sent off for two bookable offences on 35 minutes.
In the last few minutes of the half, Conor Hourihane rifled the ball into the Albion net, but VAR ruled it out for a foul on Seagulls keeper Maty Ryan.
In injury time Albion’s perennial tormentor Jack Grealish equalised for Villa.